Automatically adjustable connection for shackle bolts



' Nov. 8, 1932.

F. F. JAMES 1,887,133

AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTABLE CONNECTION FOR S'HACKLE BOLTS Original Filed July 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 8, 1932. F. F. .JAMES 1,887,133

AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTABLE CONNECTION FOR'SHACKLE BOLTS Original Filed July 2o, 1928 4 sheets-sheet 2 ill I ummm Mum NOV. 8, MES 1,887,133

AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTABLE CONNECTION FOR SHACKLE BOLTS Original Filed July 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 v v 1 3 m t 7 M W a Z5 Gttorncg F. F. JAMES Nov. 8, 1932.

AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTABLE CONNECTION FOR SHACKLE BOLTS Original Filed July 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 8, 1932 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE .nmnors F. JAMES; or PHILADELPHIA,

PENNSYLVANIA ASSIG-NOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T TRAYER BOLT COMPANY, INC., OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, A 003-- PORATION OF NEW YORK UTOMATICALLY ADJUSTABLE CONNECTION FOR SHACKLE BOLTS Application filed July 20, 1928, Serial No. 294,154. Renewed April 5, 1932.

The invention relates to an automatically adjustable connection for connecting a spring with the shackle hangers or the like.

An object of the present invention is to improve the construction of shackle bolt connections and to provide an automatically adjustable shackle bolt connection which will be simple, inexpensive, practical and eflicient and at the same time possess great strength and durability and adapted to be readily applied to the springs andshackle hangers of automobiles and other vehicles.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide an automatically adjustable shackle bolt connection of this character equipped with a cone bearing and adapted to take up the wear without liability of forming shoulders in the cone bearing.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide an automatically adjustable shackle bolt connection in which the shackle bolt may be constructed in either a single cone bearing type or a double cone bearing type and'which will prevent the shackle bolt in either type from twisting or falling out and which will reduce the liability of breakage of the shackle bolt to a minimum. 7

Another object of the invention is to pro-- vide an adjustable shackle bolt connection in which the parts will be thoroughly lubricated and practically dust-proof. I

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described. illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changesin the form, proportion and minor details of construction, withinthe scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 isa side elevation of an adjustable shackle bolt connection of a single cone hear,- ing type constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the same on the line 2+2 of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of the shackle bolt.

Fig. l is a transverse sectional view of the shackle bolt connection taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of an adjustable shackle bolt connection of the double'eone bearing type.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of the same partly in reverse plan view.

'Fig. 7 is a reverse plan view of an automatically adjustable shackle bolt connection of the double cone type'showing a different arrangement of connecting bolts from that illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of one of the sections of the shackle bolt or pivot.

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional View on the line 99 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view of an adjustable shackle for connecting the eyes of two springs.

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.

' Fig. 12 is a detailsectional view of one of the double cone shackle pivots.

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view of one of the shackle plates.

Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional view of an adjustable shackle bolt connection having a one piece shackle bolt with a double cone bearing.

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view of the sametaken on the line 1515 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 1616 of Fig. 14:. Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusiive of the accompanying drawings in which is illustrated an adjustable shackle bolt connection of a single cone bearing type,

1 designates a bearing bracket constructed of suitable metal and consisting of a horizontal plate or body portion riveted or otherwise secured at 2 to the frame or chassis 3 of an automobile or other vehicle and provided with inner and outer depending side flanges 4: and 5 having transversely aligned horizontally disposed bearings 6 and 7 through which passes a shackle bolt 8. The bearings 6 and .7 consist of cylindrical enlargements or extensions projecting from the inner faces of the depending side flanges 4 and 5. The bearing 5 is provided with a cylindrical bore or opening 9 for the reception of a cylindrical end portion 10 of the shackle bolt and the other bearing 6 has a reduced opening 11 to receive a reduced cylindrical portion 12 of the said shackle bolt. The reduced cylindrical portion 12 of the shackle bolt is connected with the end portion 10 which is relatively large by a central tapered or cone portion which is arranged in a tapered opening 18 of a cone bushing 1%. The cone bushing 14 which has a cylindrical exterior is arranged within the eye 15 of a spring 16 of the automobile or other vehicle to which the device is applied. The cone bushing is of a length corresponding to the width of the spring 16 and the ends of the cone bushing are arranged in flush relation with the ends of the eye 15. A thrust washer 17 is arranged on the reduced portion of the shackle bolt and is interposed between the cylindrical enlargement 6 of the flange 4i and the adjacet ends of the eye 15 and the bushing 1%.

The reduced portion of the shackle bolt is provided at its outer end with a threaded portion 18 which is engaged by a nut 19 and a washer 20 is arranged on the threaded portion of the shankle bolt and is engaged by a coiled spring 21 located within an outer cylindrical recess 22 of the cylindrical enlargement 6 and is interposed between the inner end wall of he recess and the said washer 20. The spring is placed under tension by the nut 19 and it operates to urge the cone bearing portion of the shackle bolt inwardly into the tapered opening of the cone bushing and maintain a tight engagement between such elements of the cone bearing and to take up any wear of the parts. The washer 20 which is of greater diameter than the recess 22 forms an end wall or closure for the same and is adapted to exclude dust therefrom and from the cone hearing. In order to prevent the shackle bolt from twisting it is provided with opposite horizontally disposed arms 23 located exteriorly of the bearing bracket and arranged in spaced relation with the inner depending 5 hereof and provided with smooth cylindrical openings 24: through which pass bolts 25 provided at their outer ends with heads 26 and having inner threaded terminal portions 27 which engage threaded openings 28 in the depending flange 5 of the bearing bracket and the said openings 28 are located at opposite sides of the cylindrical extension 7 of the flange 5. The reduced threaded terminal portions 27 of the bolts 25 form shoulders 29 which abut against the outer face of the flange 5. The bolts 25 form guides for the shackle bolt and permit the inward movement of the same under the action of the spring 21 and at the same time the bolts prevent any twisting of the shackle bolt and thereby reduce the liability of breakage of the same and assist in preventing the shackle bolt from falling out.

The nut 19 may be lock-ed against accidental retrograde movement by any suitable means.

The shackle bolt is provided with a central longitudinal lubricant passage 30 extending inwardly from the end having the arms 23 and enlargedat its outer end and interiorly threaded to provide athreaded socket 81 for the reception of a suitable closure plug 32 and also to enable a grease gun or other means for supplying lubricant to be connected to it. The inner end of the lubricant passage connects with a transverse passage 33 located at the inner end of the reduced cylindrical portion 12 of the shackle bolt and extending to the outer surface of the shackle boltat the inner end of the. cone portion 8 and communicating with a circumferential groove 34. The inner circumferential groove 34 is formed in the cone bushing and is located at the smaller end of the cone bearing portion 8. A circumferential groove 35 is formed in the shackle bolt and is located at the larger end of the cone portion 8. The circumferential grooves assist in the distribution of the lubricant and the thorough lubrication of the cone bearing and the grooves .35 and 34 also are adapted to enable the shackle bolt to be adjusted automatically by the coiled spring, by reason of preventing shoulders forming on the bolt. The cone bushing while preferably constructed of bronze may be made of any suitable material as will be readily understood. The shackle bolt and the other parts of the device may also be constructed of any preferred metal.

In Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive is illustrated automatically adjustable connections of a double cone bearing type in which the shackle bolt is composed of two sections 36'and 38 each consisting of an inner cone portion and an outer cylindrical portion 37 and provided at the outer end with oppositely disposed arms 39. The larger end of the cone portion ofv each shackle bolt section is of adiameter slightly less than that of the cylindrical portion 37 and a circumferential groove a0 is formed in the section between the cone portion and the cylindrical port-ion 37 to facilitate lubrication of the double cone bearing and also to prevent the formation of shoulders in the cone at that point by having removed the metal where the shoulders would form due to the adjustment of the sections in a cone bushing 41. The cone bushing 41 has a bearing opening 42 tapered inwardly from each end of the bushing and provided with a central cylindrical enlargement 43. The cylindrical enlargement 13 of the bearing open ing of the cone bushing constitutes a lubricant chamber and is interposed between the reduced orsmaller ends of the cone bearing portions of the shackle bolt sectionsand provides ample space forthe inward adj justinent of the shackle bolt sections to take up the wear without liability of forming shoulders in "the bushing at the smaller ends The bushing 41 which of :the cone portions. has the cylindrical exterior is arranged in .an eye 44 of a spring 45 and the cylindrical .portions 37 of the shackle :bolt sections are mounted in cylindrical extensions 46 of depending flanges 47 of a bearing bracket 48.

The'bearing bracket'48 is riveted or otherwise secured at 49 to the frame or chassis 50 of an automobile or other vehicle and the said cy lindrical extensions 46 areprovided with cylindrical openings-51 of-uniform diameter throughout their entire length. I

The cone sections of the shackle bolt are .urged inwardly and-maintained in tight engagement with the cone bushing by coiled springs 52 disposed on bolts 53which in the form of the invent-ion illustrated in Figs.

5, 6 and 9 extend entirely across the bearing bracket and pass through openings 60 in the side flanges 47 and through openings 61 in the arms 39 of the shackle bolt sections. The

coiled springs are preferably housed in caps 62 which prevent spreading of the parts be yond the initial adjustment but shoulders may be formed on the bolts for the same purpose. The bolts 53 are provided at oneend with ahead 63 and are threaded at the other end at 64 for the reception of suitable nuts 65 which may be located on the bolts 53 by any suitable means. The coiled springs which bear against the head 63 and the adjacent arms 39 maintain a constant tension on the shackle bolt sections and automatically take upthe wear of the double conebearing.

Lubricant is supplied to the double cone bearing through a lubricant passage 66 extending entirely through thecone sections 36 and enlarged at its-outer end at 67 and inte- "riorly threaded to forma threaded socket68 for the reception of a screw plug 69 similar to the screw plug 32 heretofore described.

The socket is adapted to be connected with a grease gun or other suitable means for supplying a lubricant and any other desired form of closure may, of course, be employed for closing'the outer ends of the lubricant passages and for confining the lubricant therein.

In Fig. 7 of the drawings coiled springs 70 are arranged on the inner portions of short bolts 71 and are interposed between't'he side flanges 47 and the heads of the bolts which have threaded outer ends and which-are provided with nuts 72 designed "to bev locked against retrograde rotation by any suitable means. The springs and bolts which are arranged in pairs urge the shackle bolt sections inwardly and maintaina tight engagement between'the same andthe double cone bushing 4 r 41 totake up'the wear. With'the exceptionof the short boltsarranged in pairs the-double .cone bearing connection illustrated in :Fig. 7 is constructed 'exactly:the same as the double cone type connection illustrated .inF igs. 5, 6 and 9inclusive. The short bolts passthrough the arms 39 of thesliackle bolt sections and .-engage the 'outer'faces-of the arms as shown.

In Figs. lOtto 13inclusive-of the drawings is illustrated an adjustable shackle bolt connection for connectingthe adjacent ends of two "members 73 :and 74. The shackle bolt connection comprises upper and lower single pieceshackle :bolts 75 having central cylindrical portions Whicharearrangedin eyes 76 and '7 7 of the springs 73 and 74. The shackle bolts 75 are provided with cone terminal portions .78 which are arranged in cone bearing recesses 79 of shackle plates 80 located at.

opposite sides of the members and connected by a :central :bolt 81. a

Theshackle bolts 7 5are tubular and'they :are provided with circumferentialgrooves 82 located between the. ends of :the central cylindrical portions of the shackle bolts and .the adjacent endsof the cone portions 7 8 and s are adapted to prevent formation of shoulders on thesboltrand in cone recesses 79 thereby :insuringiproper engagement with the cone bearings 78. a The tubular shackle bolts per- ..Init the lubricantto pass through the shackle bolts from one cone bearing to the other and the shackle plates are provided atthe reduced ends of the cone bearing recesses 79 with cylindrical enlargements '83 which provide the necessary space for the relative adjustment of the shackle bolts andshackle plates to take up the Wear, without forming shoulders in the shackle plates 80. The enlarged recesses '83 also provide lubricant chambers or spaces .to enable the lubricant toreadily flow to the cone surfaces for lubricating the same.

The shackle plates 80 are provided at their side edges with two spaced webs 84 to prevent bending of the shackle plates and the central connecting bolt 81 passes'through the shackle.

plates between the webs, and is provided at one end with'a head '85 and at the other end with a. nut 86 arranged on the threaded terminal portion of the bolt 81. A coiled adjustment. Instead of providing the shoul der for this purpose a cap similar to the cap 62 may be employed. Also the bolts 53 and 71 and the bolts 99 and hereinafter described are provided with similar shoul- .ders.

suitable means may, of course, be provided for supplying the cone bearings with a lubricant.

In Figs. 14C to 16 inclusive of the drawings is illustrated another form of the invention comprising a single unit or one piece shackle bolt 90 having a central cylindrical portion to fit the eye 91 of a vehicle spring and provided with terminal cone portions 92 which are arranged in cone bearing recesses 93 of adjustable sections 9d of cylindrical formation and arranged in transversely aligned cylindrical openings 95 0t depending flanges 96 of a bear ng bracket 97 riveted or otherwise secured to the frame or chassis of an automobile or other vehicle. The cylindrical sections 9d are provided with oppositely ex-' tending arms 98. .The arms of one side of the sec'ions 9a are connected by a continuous bolt 99 and the arms at the opposite side of the sections are connected with the flanges V 96 by short bolts 100. The bolts are provided at one end with a head and at the other end are threaded for the reception of a nut. A. spring 101 is interposed between the head of the continuous bolt 99 and the adjacent arm 98 and coiled springs 102 are interposed between the heads of the short bolts 100 and the flanges 96.

The bolts maintain a firm engagement between the cylindrical sections 94: and the cone portions of the shackle bolt and ar adapted to automatically take up the we r. 1y suitable means such. as that hereto c descri ed in in with a lubricant.

As illustrated in the drawings one oi? the sections 9% is provided with lul icant pa 103 enlarged at the outer end and threaded to provide a thread d socket 104.-

reception of a closure plug 105 similar 1 lubricant passages heretofore descr l d able a grease gun or lubrican ing device to connected with the in i passage. As the shackle bolt is tubular rubricant will be supplied to each of the cone 3 ings.

While in the accon'ipanying dr improvements are hown applies forms of the invention, yet it will be reaa-iil understood that the invention is not to be lim- 7 4 y be provider for supplying the cone bcarspring having an eye, of a shackle bolt arranged in the eye of the spring and spaced bea ngs located at opposite sides of the sp for receiving the shackle bolt, said shackle bolt having smooth end portions to dably lit the spaced bearings and also pro vided with a central cone portion and said adjustable connection being provided with a tapered e1 e1 ing receiving the cone portion of the shackle bolt and cooperating therewith to term a cone hearing, and tensioningiineans for ur ing the shackle bolt in one direction to maintain the cone portion of the shackle bolt in tight engagement with the walls oi the tapered openin to take up the wear.

2. In an automatic lly adjustable connection for shacl'rle bolts, the combination with a spring having an. eye, of a shackle bolt ar- ,CLl in the we of the spring and spaced earrings located at opposite sides of the spring for recei ing the shackle bolt, said shackle bolthavir a cone portion and said anjus L connection being provided with a tapered opening receiving the cone portion of the shackle bolt and cooperating therewith i a cone bearing, tensioning means for the cone portion of the shackle in v.6110e556111611t with the walls of pered opening to take up the wear, circunihaential grooves being provided at the end portions of the shackle bolt, and means for supplying the cone bearing with a lubricant, sail. groove-s facilitating distribution of the lubricant and operating to prevent the formation of shoulders in the tapered opening.

An automa. cally adjustable connection for shackle bolts incluoii'ig a. bearing bracket having spaced depending side flanges provided with openings and adapted to receive the eye of a spring. etween them, a shackle bolt provided with smooth end portions having asliding it in the said flanges said shackle bolt having a cone portion located within the said eye of the spring, a bushing arranged within the eye of the spring and having a tapered openingreceiving the cone portion of the shackle bolt, and spring tensioning means connected with the shackle belt for maintaining the same in tight engagement with the bushing.

4. An automatically adjustable connection for shackle bolts including a bearing bracket having spaced de ending side flanges provided with openings and adapted to receive the eye of a spring between them, a shackle bolt mounted in the said flanges and having a cone iliiCIl located within the said eye of the ing, a bns ir arranged within the eye of the spring and ving a tapered opening receiving the cone portion of the shackle bolt to form a cone bearing, spring tensioning means connected. with the shackle bolt for maintaining the same in tight engagement with the bushing, circumferential grooves being provided adjacent the ends'of the bushing, andmeans for supplying lubricant to the cone bearing, the said grooves facilitating distributionof the lubricant and preventing the formation of shoulders in the cone bearing.

7 5. An automatically adjustable Connection for shackle bolts including a bearing bracket provided with spaced side flanges having openings, a shackle bolt mounted in the openings of the side flanges and provided at one end with a projecting arm spaced from the adjacent flange, said shackle bolt having aicone portion, a bushing adapted to be ar-, ranged in the eye of a spring and located between the said flanges and having a tapered opening receiving and fitting the cone portion of the shackle bolt, and means for connecting the said arm with the bearing bracket for guiding the shackle bolt in its inward movement, and separate means for tensioning the shackle bolt to urge the shackle bolt inwardly and maintain the same in tight engagement with the bushing.

6. An automatically adjustable connection for shackle bolts including a bearing bracket provided with spaced side flanges having openings, a shackle bolt mounted in the openings of the side flanges and provided at one end with a projecting arm spaced from the adjacent flange, said shackle bolt having a cone portion, a bushing adapted to be arranged in the eye of a spring and located between the said flanges and having a tapered opening receiving and fitting the cone portion of the shackle bolt to form a cone bearing, means for connecting the said arm with the bearing bracket and for tenioning the shackle bolt to maintain the same in tight engagement with the bushing, circumferential grooves being provided adjacent lthe ends of the bushing, and means for supplying lubricant to the cone bearing and the grooves, the latter facilitating distribution of the lubricant and preventing formation of shoulders in the cone bearing.

7. An automatically adjustable connection for shackle bolts including a bearing bracket having spaced sides provided with transversely aligned approximately cylindrical extensions, a shackle bolt consisting of a central cone portion and cylindrical end portions of difi'erent diameters having a sliding fit in said cylindrical extensions, one of the cylindrical extensions being provided with i an exterior recess, arms extending from and rigid with the shackle bolt at one end thereof and spaced from the bearing bracket guiding means carried by the bracket and slidably receiving the arms of the shackle bolt, a nut mounted on the other end of the shackle bolt, a spring arranged in the said recess and tensioned by the said nut, and a bushing arranged between the said extensions and having a tapered opening receiving the cone portion of the shackle bolt to form a cone bearing and maintained in tight engagement with the shackle bolt by the said spring.

8. An automatically adjustable connection for shackle bolts including a bearing bracket having spaced sides provided with transversely aligned approximately cylindrical extensions, a shackle bolt consisting of a central cone portion and cylindrical end portions of different diameters mounted in said cylindrical extensions, one of the cylindrical extensions being provided with an exterior recess, arms extending from and rigid with the shackle bolt at one end thereof and spaced from the bearing bracket, a nut mounted on the other end of the shackle bolt, a spring arranged in the said recess and tensioned by the said nut, a bushing arranged between the said extensions and. having a tapered opening receiving the cone portion of the shackle bolt to form a cone bearing and maintained in tight engagement with the shackle bolt by the said spring, circumferential groovesbeing provided adjacent the ends of the bushing, one of the grooves being formed in the shackle bolt and the other groove in the bushing, and means for supplying the cone bearing with a lubricant, the said grooves facilitating distribution of the lubricant and preventing the formation of shoulders in. the cone bearing.

9. An automatically adjustable connection for shackle bolts including a bearing bracket having spaced sides provided with transversely aligned approximately cylindrical extensions, a shackle bolt consisting of a central cone portion and cylindrical end portions of different diameters mounted in said cylindrical extensions, one of the cylindrical extensions being provided with an exterior recess, arms extending from and rigid with the shackle bolt at one end thereof and spaced from the bearing bracket, a nut mounted on the other end of the shackle bolt, a spring arranged in the said recess and tensioned by the said nut, 'a bushing arranged between the said extensions and having a tapered opening receiving the cone portion of the shackle bolt to form a cone bearing and maintained in tight engagement with the shackle bolt by the said spring, circumferential grooves being provided adjacent the ends of the bushing, one of the grooves being formed in the shackle bolt and the other groove in the bushing, a thrust washer mounted on the shackle bolt at the small cylindrical portion thereof and interposed between the bushing and the adjacent cylindrical extension.

10. An automatically adjustable connection for shackle bolts including a bearing bracket having spaced sides provided with transversely ali ned approximately cylindrical extensions, a shackle bolt consisting of a central cone portion and cylindrical end portions of different diameters mounted in said cylindrical extensions, one of the cylindrical extensions being provided with an exterior recess, arms extending from and rigid with the shackle bolt at one end thereoi and spaced from the bearing bracket, nut mounted on the other end of: the s iackle bolt, spring arranged in the said recess and tensioned by the said nut, a bushing arranged between the said extensions and having a tapered opening receiving the cone portion of the shackle bolt to form a cone bearing and maintained in tight engagement with the shackle bolt by the said. spring, circumferential grooves being provided adjacent the ends of the bush ing, one of the grooves being formed in the shackle bolt and the othe groove in the bushing, and a cover washer mounted on the bolt and interposed between the nut and the spring and being of suflicient size to cover the said recess.

11. An automatically adjustable connection for shackle bolts including a bearing bracket having depending flanges, a shackle bolt provi ded with smooth end portions having a sliding fit in the depending flan es, said shackle bolt being also provided with a cone portion,

a bushing having a tapered opening receiving the cone portion of the shackle bolt and located between the said flanges and adapted to receive the eye of a spring, arms extending from one end of the shackle bolt and rigid therewith and arranged in spaced relation with the bracket, a nut arranged on the other end of the shackle bolt, a spring interposed between the nut and the bracket to maintain the shackle bolt in tight engagement with the bushing, and bolts mounted on the bracket and slidably receiving the said arms of the shackle bolt for guiding the latter.

12. An automatically adjustable connection for shackle bolts including a bracket having spaced sides, a shackle bolt mounted in the sides of the bracket and having a central cone portion and provided at one end with arms and having a lubricant passage extending inwardly from such end of the bolt longitudinally of the cone portion and communicating at the inner end with the face of the cone portion, said shackle bolt being provided at the larger end of the cone portion with a circumferential groove, a bushing having a tapered opening receiving t ie cone portion of the shackle bolt to provide a cone bearing and located between the sides of the bracket and provided at the smaller end of the cone portion of the shackle bolt with a circumferential groove, said grooves facilitating the distribution of lubricant and preventing the formation of shoulders in the cone hearing, spring means for tensioning the shackle bolt to maintain the cone portion in tight engagement with the bushing, and means for connecting the arms oi the shackle bolt with the bracket.

13. An automatically adjustable connection for shackle bolts including a bearing bracket res les having spaced sides, a shacklebolt mounted in the sides of the bracket and composed of two sections having arms at their outer ends and provided with inner cone portions said sections being also provided with smooth outer end portions having a sliding fit in the sides of the bracket, a bushing having an oppositely tapered opening receiving the said cone portions, bolts connected with the arms and passing through the sides of the bracket, and springs arranged on the latter bolts for tensioning the sections of the shackle bolt to maintain the said sections in tight engagement with the bushing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set in hand. A w p y FRANCIS F. JAMES. 

